Azerbaijan, Russia draw closer over energy ties

The implosion of the Soviet Union in 1991 produced three petro-states – the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Of these, Azerbaijan has the longest history, having begun producing petroleum in the late 19th century.
Since the USSR’s demise, Azerbaijan has adroitly developed its energy infrastructure output to the point where the U.S. government’s Energy Information Administration notes simply, “Azerbaijan is an important current and future supplier of both oil and natural gas… Oil and gas development and export are central to Azerbaijan’s economic growth and the country is one of the Caspian region’s most important strategic export openings to the West.”……………………………………….Full Article: Source